Blake Lively And Justin Baldoni's Legal Drama Leaves A-List Stars 'Irritated' Over Being 'Dragged' Into It

As Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's trial date approaches, some Hollywood stars are reportedly having intense reactions to the matter.

For those named-dropped in the newly unsealed documents, frustration has reportedly set in. Meanwhile, other celebrities acquainted with the warring actors are said to be worried that they too may be mentioned.

Some are also taking preventive measures by distancing themselves from Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni as the dispute rages on.

Lively and Baldoni's feud reached a boiling point late last month when 181 pages of newly unsealed court documents became public ahead of their trial in May.

Part of the documents revealed a series of individual communications from Lively and Baldoni to third parties, with the actress's messages proving far more shocking as they dragged high-profile names such as Taylor Swift, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez, and Matt Damon into the dispute.

For those drawn in, sources have claimed that these individuals have been left frustrated over having their names linked to a public controversy not of their making. Similarly, many others within the circles of the litigants also fear they may be next.

"The feeling is frustration," an insider close to Affleck and Damon told Us Weekly. "There's a sense of, 'Why am I being dragged into this?' It's created unnecessary stress and irritation, and people feel like it's become a black hole."

The insider added, "Even those who have nothing to do with it are worried about getting mentioned or dragged into public speculation."

For many of the celebrities whose names have been mentioned, the prevailing sentiment is also one of high-level irritation over their private messages being made public.

According to PR expert Mark Borkowski, "no one wants to be an accessory in someone else's legal psychodrama," a comment he made to further explain the alleged reaction of these A-listers.

A different perspective on the situation is how what was once a behind-the-scenes war involving Lively and Baldoni now appears to be casting a spotlight over Hollywood, and not in a flattering way.

Consequently, some celebrities acquainted with Lively and Baldoni are reportedly taking precautions to shield themselves ahead of the duo's trial, even though the drama may not directly threaten their reputations.

"People in Hollywood have been distancing themselves from Blake and Ryan. Even close friends of theirs have been keeping their heads down and staying neutral," said the first source.

Since the start of the legal feud, public opinion over who is right or wrong has swung back and forth, a situation that suggests the unpredictability of who might emerge victorious at trial.

At the crux of the dispute are Lively's claims that Baldoni sexually harassed her during the filming of "It Ends With Us."

Additionally, she alleged that the director orchestrated a smear campaign against her, resulting in financial losses and reputational damage.

Baldoni, through his lawyers, has defended himself against the accusations, particularly the sexual harassment claims. He has insisted that they never occurred and that any tension with Lively was solely related to creative differences.

Baldoni's narrative, according to entertainment and defamation lawyer Tre Lovell, was strengthened by the unveiled messages.

Explaining his stance, Lovell, in part, referenced Lively's emails to Affleck and Damon, where she asked for help with her own cut of the film and also delivered pointed criticism of Baldoni's directing ability.

"Many of the messages strengthen Baldoni's defense and corroborate his position that the dispute was about creative input, not harassment," Lovell said.

In the meantime, Baldoni's attorney, Bryan Freedman, also holds the same view that the messages were an indictment of Lively's claims.

"A simple read of the newly released message exchanges make the truth abundantly clear. We remain confident in the legal process and clearing the names of all of the Justin Baldoni parties," the attorney told the news outlet.

Conversely, civil rights lawyer Lisa Bloom believes that the messages only further strengthen Lively's claims.

"She's complaining about Baldoni's misogyny a great deal, and her allegations do not appear to be made up later as some kind of retribution, as he alleges," Bloom said about Lively.